November Concerts at RCC

The final three concerts of 2016 at the Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny offer Donegal audiences the chance to experience some world-class, country, contemporary jazz and acoustic guitar music in the next ten days.

Award-winning American singer-songwriter Jude Johnstone plays the RCC this Friday November 11th. Writer of the title track to Johnny Cash’s Grammy winning album ‘Unchained’, Jude’s songs have been covered by Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, Trisha Yearwood and many more. Switzerland’s foremost contemporary jazz piano trio VEIN and New York saxophonist Greg Osby perform their only Irish Concert on Thursday November 17th. The following night Friday November 18th features the acclaimed French guitarist Pierre Bensusan, described by the L.A. Times as “one of the most unique and brilliant acoustic guitar veterans in the world music scene today”.

The concerts start at 8pm, tickets priced €12 and €10 concessions can be booked at An Grianán Theatre Box Office on 074 9120777 or online at regionalculturalcentre.com Concerts are presented in partnership with The Earagail Arts Festival, Donegal Music Education Partnership and Music Network.

Jude Johnstone

Born in Bar Harbor Maine, Jude Johnstone began writing songs at about age 8. At 18 she was discovered by Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen’s sax player. After spending some time in New York and New Jersey under his wing, she moved to Los Angeles in 1979, where her songs quickly became sought after by other artists. Johnstone is now considered one of America’s leading songwriters. She has been covered by Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks and Trisha Yearwood amongst others, including a Number 1 song for Yearwood’s debut album called ‘The Woman Before Me’ which earned her a BMI award. Her songs have appeared on 10 Trisha Yearwood albums and she also penned the title track to Johnny Cash’s Grammy winning album ‘Unchained’. The great Bonnie Raitt is quoted as saying that “Her fertility, in regards to songwriting, is truly awe inspiring”. Jude has released 6 albums of her own, the latest being ‘Shatter’ and she is currently working on a new record called ‘A Woman’s Work’. Jude is not only a great songwriter she is also a great singer and performer. Rodney Crowell no less describes her live show as “a lesson in melodic grace delivered by as fine a singer/songwriter as any I know”. Jude will be joined by two of Ireland’s leading musicians, guitarist Pete Doherty and Van Morrison’s regular bass player Nicky Scott, for her concert at the RCC on November 11th.

VEIN featuring Greg Osby

Leading Swiss jazz piano trio VEIN featuring Michael Arbenz (piano), Thomas Lähns (bass) and Florian Arbenz (drums) have regularly joined forces with important guest musicians in ground breaking projects. They have now come together once again with the great US saxophonist Greg Osby, someone they have worked regularly over the years, to form an exciting quartet. Just as the trio has created an almost symbiotic interplay – by bringing together a wonderful musical togetherness and a concept of maximum equality for all members – it never fails to find an incredibly inspiring addition in Greg Osby. With his distinctive and modern style that is always respectful of tradition, Osby is one of the most important saxophonists of today’s international jazz scene. He masterfully moves through the groove-heavy, lyrical, and rhythmically complex pieces of the quartet’s repertoire. According to The Guardian the live show “captures the group’s inspired fusion of traditional jazz-trio methods and wittily deconstructivist impulses…a focused and dynamically creative set”. This is a rare opportunity for Donegal audiences to experience the best in contemporary jazz.

Pierre Bensusan

Winner of the Independent Music Award in the Live Performance Album category for his latest triple live album ‘Encore’ (2014), ‘Montreux Festival Rose d’Or’ for his first album ‘Près de Paris’ (1976), ‘Best World Music Guitar Player’ by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine (2008), Pierre Bensusan has been recognized time and time again as one of the finest musicians of our time. Born in Algeria in 1957, Pierre’s family moved to Paris when he was 4 and at 18 his first album won the ‘Grand Prix du Disque’ on his debut at the Montreux Festival. Pierre’s name has become synonymous over the years with contemporary acoustic guitar excellence. He has the ability to make a single guitar sound like an entire band as he brings the audience on a mesmerizing musical journey. He is more than a guitarist, he is a composer and also a bilingual improvisational vocalist. There is a sense of something both playful and serious in his work, an unparalleled sense of freedom in his compositions and his improvisations. His playing defies classification – crossing world, classical, jazz, traditional, folk and more. A solo live performance by Pierre Bensusan is a very special musical experience.